Control apparatus



y 1944- H. E. MALONE. 2,353,746

CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Jan. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENT OR.

BY HUMER EMALDNE m ATTORNEY;

Patented July 18, 1944 CONTROL APPARATUS Homer E. Malone, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Periex Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application January 19, 1942, Serial No. 427,255

16 Claims.

This invention relates in general to. automatic controls and more particularly to electrically operated valve mechanism. It is the primary obiect of this invention to provide a snap acting ,valve mechanism which is simple, compact and rugged in construction and which is silent and positive in operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved magnetic snap action mechanism.

' A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved slip friction drive mechanism between a condition responsive device and a device actuated thereby.

Other objects of the invention will become dpparent from the following description and appended claims.

For a full disclosure of this invention reference is made to the following detailed description, and to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a sectional side view of a valve mechanism embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the slip friction mechanism and taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the slip friction mechanism and magnet construction;

Fig. 4 is a top view of one of the bimetal elements;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the manual adjusting knob; a

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the manual adjust- 8 knob;

Fig. 'l is a fragmentary top view of the casing with the manual adjusting knob removed;

Fig. 8 is an elevation of the control valve;

Fig. 9 is a top view of the control valve; and

Fig. 10 shows diagrammatically a preferred form of control system for the valve.

Referring to the drawings, reference character I indicates a valve body having an inlet passage 3 and an outlet passage 2 separated by a transverse partition 4 having a valve port 5 therein.

The valve body I is formed to provide a chamber 9 in alignment with the valve port I for receivlng a hollow movable valve member 'I. This valve member I is provided with a means for restraining rotation thereof, this means being shown as a pin 8 which extends transversely of the valve member and which engages guide members 9 and I0 located along the sides of the chamber 6. The upper end of the member 1 carries a permanent magnet ii, this magnet preferably being U-shaped, having north and south poles as indicated.

The valve body I is flaredcutwardly at the top of passage 3 to provide a flange i2, this flange carrying a nonmagnetic diaphragm or sealing member 13 which serves to close off the end of the passage 9 in a fluid-tight manner. On top'of the diaphragm i3 is a base plate l4 having a central circular opening i5 and an upstanding tongue or stop member i8 (Fig. 2) which is struck out from the main portion of base plate It. Mounted on top of base plate It is a generally inverted cup-shaped cover i'l having a flange It at its bottom. The cover I! is held in place by screws 20 extending from the flange l2 into the flange I9, these screws also holding the diaphragm i3 in tight engagement with the flange I: for providing a fluid-tight seal.

The cover I! is recessed to receive a terminal plate 22 which carries terminal brackets 23 and M having terminal screws 25 and 26 respectively for the attachment of electrical wires. Attached to the terminal bracket 23 is a coiled bimetal element 21, the inner end of which is attached to a collar 28 carried by a cylindrical member 29 of insulating material. The terminal bracket 24 carries a bimetal element 30 which may be identical with element 21, the element 30 being attached to the collar 29 on the cylindrical member 29. The collar 29 preferably is provided with an in-turned portion II which extends into a recess in the cylindrical member 29, this arrangement causing the collar and cylindrical member to rotate as a unit. It will be apparent that when the terminals 23 and 24 are connected across a source of electrical power an electrical circuit will be completed in series through bimetal elements 21 and 30, this causing the bimetal elements to heat and unwind, rotating the cylindrical member 29 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. When the circuit through the bimetal elements is broken the elements will cool off for twisting the member 29 in a clockwise direction. This cooling of the bi-' metal elements is accelerated by means of vent openings 33 in the casing I! (Fig. 8).

The lower end of the cylindrical member 29 is recessed as shown in Fig. 3 to provide a pair of diametrically spaced leg portions 35 which rest upon a generally cup-shaped member 36, this cup-shaped member being preferably formed integrally with an upwardly extending shaft having an enlarged screw-threaded portion 3'! and a reduced upper portion 38. The cup member 36 receives a permanent magnet 40 which may be identical with the permanent magnet H (see Fig. 3). This magnet may be retained in place within the cup member 99 by means of a spring member 4| extending transversely of member 36 and passing through diametically spaced openings 42 and 49 in its side walls. The spring member 42 is inserted in position by flexing the same and the ends are then bent over to retain this member in place. It will be noted the spring member H is provided with a downwardly oil-set central portion having a circular opening which fits over a pin 45 secured to the diaphragm II. This arrangement serves as a guide for the cup member 99, permitting this cup member to rotate about pin 45 while preventing lateral movement thereof. The upper end of the cylindrical member 29 receives a spacer 41 having a circular opening through which the upper end of shaft 39 passes. The end of shaft 99 fits loosely into a manual operating knob 49, which knob is formed with a cylindrical guide portion 49 which fits into a guide 50 formed in the top of the cover IT. The operating knob 49 is also formed with an enlarged circular portion ii, the lower surface of which engages the end of guide 99, this knob being held in place by means of a cover plate 52 secured by screws to the top of cover I1. Preferably a spring washer 53 is interposed between the cover plate 52 and the enlarged portion 5|, this yieldably urging the knob 48 into engagement with the top of guide 59. This arrangement, it will be noted, provides for pivotal mounting of the cylindrical member 29, both at its upper and lower ends. This arrangement also restrains or prevents axial movement of the cylindrical member 29 and the cup member 36. Thus the permanent magnet 49 is rotatably mounted so as to rotate with respect to the permanent magnet ll, linear or axial movement of the magnet 40 being substantially prevented.

The cylindrical member 29, which is rotated by the thermostatic elements 21 and 90, serves to twist the permanent magnet 49, which causes opening or closing movement of the valve member 1. When the magnet 40 is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3, it will be observed that the south pole of magnet 40 is adjacent the north pole of magnet l l, and the north pole of magnet 40 is adjacent the south pole of magnet II. The magnets in this position have their unlike poles adjacent each other with the result that the magnets are attracted toward each other. As the magnet 40 is restrained from downward movement, this magnetic attraction results in upward movement of the magnet ll, thus raising the valve member 1 from the seat 5. tion that the parts assume when the bimetal elements 2'! and 30 are heated. When the bimetal element 21 and 30 cool, the sleeve 29 and permanent magnet 40 are rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, this causing the north and south poles of the magnet 40 to be rotated away from the south and north poles respectively of magnet ll. At this time, it will be noted, the

magnet II is prevented from rotating with mag-' net 40 by the guide means 89-|0. This rotation of magnet 40 relative to magnet ll increases the distance between the poles of the two magnets, thereby diminishing the attractive force. As the magnet 49 continues to rotate, the attractive force will diminish to a point wherein it is overcome by th weight of the valve member I and thus the valve member will drop against its seat. Upon still further rotation of the magnet 49, the north pole of this magnet will approach the north pole of magnet ll.

This is the posi- Thus the like P0188 76 a viewed in of the two magnets will become adjacent each other, thereby causing the magnets to repel each other, which applies an additional closing force to the valve member 1. It will be apparent that as the permanent magnet 49 is rotated in the opposite direction, due to heating of the bimetal elements, thi repelling force will flrstbe reduced to zero as the magnet 49 approaches the position shown in Fig. 1 wherein it is from magnet ll. Upon continued rotation of the magnet 40 the unlike poles of the magnets will become closer and closer together, thereby increasing the magnetic attraction until it overcomes th weight of the valve member 1. The valve member I will thus be lifted and as it rises the distance between magnets II and 49 will be decreased, which further increase the magnetic attraction. This causes the valve to travel with snap action from closed position to wide open position once the valve beginsmoving away from closed position.

While the device would be operative with a rigid connection between sleeve 29 and magnet 49, it is preferable to employ a slip friction drive arrangement between these two parts. This slip friction drive mechanism makes the valve respond quicker to energization or deenergization of the bimetal eleznents, and also avoids any possible straining of the bimetal elements. The slip friction drive means is indicated generally by reference character 59. This mechanism include a friction plate 51 which is staked to a shoulder of the cup member 96. Thisfriction plate 91 is generally circular in shape and is provided with two upstanding portions or drive members I9 and I! (Fig. 2). The friction plate 51 is engaged by and carries friction pad 9|, 92 and 99, these friction pads passing through openings in a drive plate 99. A resilient spider or spring member 99 serves to press the friction pads into engagement with the friction plate 51. As shown in Fig. 3, the leg portions 99 of the cylindrical member 29 pass through coinciding openings in the pider member 99 and the drive plate 95. By this arrangement the spider member 99 and drive plate rotate as a unit with the member 29. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the tension of the spider or spring member 94 may be adjusted by means of a nut 10 which is scglvivfd on the screw threaded shaft portion 91. nut 10 bears against the spider 66, serving to press the friction pads into engagement with the friction plate 51.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the drive plate 65 i provided with an enlarged portion II, this forming positive drive surfaces 12 and 19 at the ends thereof, these drive surfaces being adapted to cooperate with the drive members 99 and 59 respectively. With the parts in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bimetal elements 21 and 99 are cold, having positioned the cylindrical member 29 in its extreme clockwise position a viewed in Fig. 2. In this position the drive member 95 has been rotated clockwise, the drive surface 12 thereof having engaged the drive or stop member 59 which now eng ges the stop I. pro- Jecting from the stationary plate l4. This has caused the permanent magnet 49 to be rotated to a position in which its north pole is near the north pole of the permanent magnet I I, this providing a repelling action between the permanent magnet for urging the valve member I against its seat. When an electric current i passed through the bimetal elements 21 and 99, these elements heat up for rotating the member 29, causing counter-clockwise rotation of drive plate 99 Fig. 2. This rotates the friction pads assauo Ii, 82 and l counter-clockwise for imparting the same rotation to friction plate I! and permanent magnet ll. At this time it will be noted that the drive surface 13 of the drive member ii is moving ahead of member II and thu does not interfere with counter-clockwise movement of the member II. This counter-clockwise rotation of magnet ll first causes this magnet to pass through a position in which the magnets CI and ii are 90 apart. Thus initial movement of magnet 40 results in decreasing the repelling forces between magnets ll and ii to zero. Upon continued counter-clockwise rotation of magnet 40, the north pole of this magnet will approach the south pole of magnet ii, and thu the magnets ll and ii begin attracting each other. This attraction increases as the permanent magnet 40 continues to rotate, until finally the force of magnetic attraction becomes suiiicient to lift the valve member I from its seat. This usually occurs some time before the parts reach the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the north pole of magnet ll is in alignment with the south pole of magnet ll. When the friction member 51 is driven to the position shown in Fig.

3 the leading edge of the drive or stop member It engages the left hand edge of the stop it. This prevents the magnet 40 from continuing rotation, which if permitted might cause the valve to re close. After the stop or drive member 58 engages the stop it for preventing further rotation of the friction plate 51, continued movement of the friction pads merely cause them to slip over the surface of this plate. When the electric circuit through the bimetal elements is broken, these elements begin cooling down, causing clockwise rotation of the member 29 which drives the drive plate 88 clockwise, as seen in Fig. 2. This movement of the drive plate 65 is transmitted immediately to, the friction plate 51 by the friction pads, this moving the permanent magnet 40 away from th position shown in Fig. 3 for decreasing the attractive force between magnets 40 and II. Eventually a point is reached wherein the attractive force between the magnets is insufficient to hold the valve member 1 in raised position. The valve member thus drops to its seat withsnap action. As the bimetal elements continue to cool, the stop member I! will engage the stationary stop member II, which prevents further clockwise rotation of the permanent magnet 40. Continuing cooling of the bimetal element will result in continued clockwise rotation of the drive member 65, this movement being permitted by slipping of the friction pads upon the friction plate 51. Finally upon further cooling of the bimetal elements, the drive surface 13 of the drive member 65 may engage the stop member 58, the parts again assuming the positions shown in Fig. 2.

From the above description it will be apparent that the slip friction drive arrangement causes the permanent magnet Iii to be rotated immediately upon initial heating movement of the bimetal elements and also upon initial cooling movement of the himetal elements, this immediate movement of the permanent magnet with the bimetal element occurring irrespective of the actual temperature of the bimetal elements. This slip friction arrangement thus makes the valve operate promptly in response to energization of the heating means for the bimetal elements. In addition, this slip friction drive arrangement provides for preventing the magnet 40 from being rotated too far in either direction and avoids straining of the bimetal elements.

In the event that the slip friction drive mechanism should fail, the arrangement of the present invention provides for a positive drive between the bimetal elements and the magnet ll. Thus if for some reason. counter-clockwise movement of drive plate II is not transmitted to the friction plate I1 through the friction pads, the drive surface 12 of plate II will eventually engage the drive member of the friction plate Further counter-clockwise rotation of the drive plate 65 will now cause corresponding counter-clockwise rotation of the friction plate I! and permanent magnet ll. Similarly if clockwise rotation of drive plate I is not transmitted to the friction plate I! through the friction pads, the drive surface II will eventually en age the drive member 50, thereby providing a positive clockwise drive of plate ll.

It should be noted that the positive drive surfaces I! and I3 cooperating with members II and 60 respectively, in addition to providing protection against failure of the slip friction mechanism, also insure against the valve getting out of step. due to changes in ambient temperature. Thus when the bimetal elements 21 and 3| are unheated and below a predetermined design temperature such as F., the parts will assume the'positions shown in which the valve is closed. Thus changes in ambient temperature below 110 F. cannot cause opening of the valve. Simiiarly, when the bimetal elements. are heated above a predetermined temperature .such as 300' F., the drive surface I2 by engagement with member 6! will keep the valve open irrespective of reversals in temperature of the bimetal elements occurring above this value. Thus it is insured that the valve will be closed whendeenergized and open when energized.

In certain applications of the invention it is desirable to provide an arrangement for operating the valve manually. For example during a period of failure of electric power, it may be desirabie to open the valve, which requires a manual operating means. In the form of the invention illustrated, the knob ll serves to permit manual rotation of the shaft II which directly rotates the permanent magnet ll. Referring to Fig. '7, it will be noted that the shaft 38 is provided with a pin I5. This pin is adapted to be engaged by a downwardly extending projection 16 formed on the knob I. (Fig. 6). When the knob II is turned to the position shown in Fig. 9

inwhichthe pointer 50 is at "automatic operation" the projection It is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. It will be noted that with this position of the projection ll relative to pin ii, the projection 16 does not interfere with counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 38. Thus the valve is permitted to operate automatically in the manner above described. However when the knob is rotated counter-clockwise to the position "manual open," as seen in Fig. 9, the projection 16 engages the pin II causing counter-clockwise rotation of shaft 3| with knob 48, this rotating the permanent magnet 40 so asv to open the valve. When the knob 48 is rotated counter-clockwise from its position automatic operation" to its position manual open," the bimetal elements 21 and 30 are stressed slightly, these elements yieldably resisting such counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft ll. When the knob ll is rotated clockwise to its position "automatic operation," the force stored up in the bimetal elements serves to rotate the shaft 38 through the slip friction mechanism. Thus the stress stored up in the bimetal elements serves to return the permanent magnet 48 to a position causing closure of the valve.

Preferably the movement of the knob 48 is limited by suitable stop means. This stop means in its preferred form may consist of a projection 18 formed on knob 48, this projection 18 being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. When the knob 48 is in place, the projection 18 fits into an annular slot 19 formed in the top of casing ll. The projection 18 engages a web 88 extending across the annular slot 18 when the knob 48 is in its automatic operation" position. When the knob 18 is rotated to its manual open" position. the projection 18 engages a second web II for preventing further rotation in this direction.

The electric circuit through the bimetal elements 2! and 30 may be controlled in any suitable manner. Preferably the control circuit includes a three-legged transformer generally indicated as 85. The transformer 85 includes a first leg 88 having a primary coil 81 wound thereon, this coil being adapted to be connected continuously across a 110 volt power line. The transformer 85 also includes a secondary leg 88 having a secondary coil 89 wound thereon, this secondary coil being permanently connected to the bimetal elements 21 and 30. The transformer 88 further includes a control leg 88 having a control winding 9| wound thereon. This control winding is preferably wound so that a voltage of approximately 20 volts is induced therein. This winding Si is adapted to be short-circuited by any suitable switching mechanism such as a thermostat 92. When the switch 82 is open, the circuit through the control winding 9| is opened and consequently this winding does not resist travel of magnetic flux through the leg 98. This leg thus acts as a magnetic shunt for the secondary leg 88. Thus the flux induced in the transformer core by the primary 8! is shunted through leg 80. As a result very little flux cuts the secondary winding 88. Thus when the switch 92 is open, the current flow through the bimetal elements is substantially zero. However, when the switch 92 is closed, the winding 8| becomes short-circuited which causes this winding to produce a flux in opposition to that induced by the primary coil 81. This causes a large portion of the flux induced by coil 81 to pass through the transformer leg 88 and cut the secondary coil 88, with the result that a low voltage, high amperage current is passed through the bimetal elements 21 and 80 for heating the same. As described above, this causes opening of the valve.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and positive arrangement for providing snap action movement of a valve or other type of movable member. While a preferred form of the invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that many changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the magnetic snap action mechanism or motion transmitting means may be employed for operating other movable members than valves and may be operated by other operators than manual operators or thermostatic actuators. It will also be apparent that various features disclosed have utility apart from the complete combination shown. It is therefore de- 2,sss,74o

sired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a first magnet, a second magnet. said magnets being located adjacent each other so as to be influenced by each others magnetic field, the polarity of said magnets be-- ing constant relative to each other, means providing for two types of relative movement between the magnets, one type of relative movement being predominantly linear and the other type of movement being predominantly twisting, a first movable member actuated by one type of relative movement between the magnets, a second movable member for imparting the other type of relative movement to said magnets, a condition responsive device for actuating said second movable member, and a slip friction drive mechanism between said condition responsive device and said second movable member.

2. In combination, a first magnet, a second magnet, said magnets being located adjacent each other so as to be influenced by each others magnetic field, the polarity of said magnets being constant relative to each other, a first movable member actuated by one of said magnets, a second movable member for actuating one of said magnets relative to the other, means for limiting movement of said second movable mem-- ber, a condition responsive device for actuating said second movable member, a slip friction drive mechanism between said condition responsive device and said second movable member, and a positive lost motion type drive mechanism also between said condition responsive means and said second movable member.

3. In combination, a first movable member, magnetic means for actuating said first movable member, a second movable member for actuating said magnetic means, means for limiting movement of said second movable member, a condition responsive device for actuating said second movable member, a slip friction drive mechan sm between said condition responsive device and said second movable member, and a positive 10st motion type drive mechanism also between said condition responsive means and said second movable member.

4. In combination, a movable member, means for limiting movement of said movable member, a condition responsive device for actuating said movable member, a slip friction drive mechanism between said condition responsive device and said movable member, and a positive lost motion type drive mechanism also between said condition responsive means and said movable member.

5. In combination, a valve port, a valve member associated with said valve port and movable linearly toward or away from said valve port, a rotatable member, a condition responsive device for rotating said rotatable member, and magnetic snap action motion translating means for translating rotary movement of said rotatable member into snap action linear movement of said valve member.

6. In combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet passages communicating through a valve port. said valve bod also having an open ended chamber in alignment with the valve port, a valve member for said valve port and located at least in part within said chamber, guide means for said valve member arranged to permit linear motion thereof toward or away from the valve port while restraining rotary motion thereof. a

first permanent magnet attached to the end of the valve member remote from the valve seat, a flat non-magnetic seal member for closing the open end of said chamber, a second permanent magnet pivotally mounted at the outside of said seal member and restrained from linear motion, and means for rotating said second permanent magnet.

7. In combination, a valve body having inlet and outlet passages communicating through a valve port, said valve body also having an open ended chamber in alignment with the valve port, a valve member for said valve port and located at least in part within said chamber, guide means for said valve member arranged to permit linear motion thereof toward or away from the valve port while restraining rotary motion thereof, a first permanent magnet attached to the end of the valve member remote from the valve seat, a fiat non-magnetic seal member for closing the open end of said chamber, a second permanent magnet pivotally mounted at the outside of said seal member and restrained from linear motion, a coiled bimetal strip having electric heating means therefor, a shaft rotated by said bimetal strip, a slip friction drive mechanism between said shaft and said second permanent magnet, and means for rotating the second permanent magnet independently of said slip friction drive mechanism.

8. In combination, a valve port, a valve member associated with said valve port and movable linearly toward or away from said valve port, a rotatable member, and magnetic snap action motion translating means for translating rotary movement of said rotatable member into snap action linear movement of said valve member.

9. In combination, a valve port, valve member means associated with said valve port and movable linearly toward or away from said valve port, said valve member means including a permanent magnet, means for restraining rotary movement of saidvalve member means, a rotatable permanent magnet arranged to influence the first mentioned permanent magnet, and means for restraining linear movement of said rotatable permanent magnet.

10. In combination, a valve port, valve member means associated with said valve port and movable linearly toward or away from said valve port, said valve member means including a permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet arranged to influence the first mentioned permanent magnet, means for rotating one of said permanent magnets, and means restraining rotary movement of the other of said permanent magnets.

ll. In combination, a valve port, valve member means associated with said valve port for controlling the flow oi fluid therethrough, said valve member means including a permanent magnet, a second permanent magnet cooperating with saidfirst mentioned permanent magnet, means.

for rotating one or said permanent magnets, and means for restraining rotation of the other of said permanent magnets.

12. In combination, a valve port, valve member means associated with said valve port for conmeans for imparting the other of said relative movements between the magnets.

13. In combination, a valve port, valve member means associated with said valve port for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, said valve member means including a permanent mag-' net, a second permanent magnet cooperating with said first mentioned permanent magnet, means for providing for linear relative movement between the magnets .and twisting relative movement between the magnets, one of said relative movements operating the valve member means to vary the flow of fluid through the valve port, and means for actuating the second magnet in a manner imparting the other relative movement between the magnets.

14. In combination, a unitary structure providing a first guide means and a second guide means in permanent fixed relationship with each other, a first movable member associated with the first guide means in a manner permitting linear movement of said first movable member while restraining rotary movement thereof, a permanent magnet attached to and carried by said first movable member, a second movable member associated with the second guide means and in alignment with the first movable member, said second movable member being restrained from linear movement but being rotatable, and a second permanent magnet adjacent the first permanent magnet and attached to the second movable member.

15. In combination, a unitary structure providing a first guide means and a second guide means in permanent fixed relationship with each other, a first permanent magnet member associated with the first guide means in a manner providing for linear movement while restraining rotary movement, and a second permanent magnet member adjacent the first permanent mag net member and associated with the second guide means in a manner providing for rotary movement while restraining linear movement.

16. In combination, a unitary structure providing a first guide means and a second guide means in permanent fixed relationship with each other, a first permanent magnet member associated with the first guide means in a manner providing for linear movement while restraining rotary movement, a second permanent magnet member adjacent the first permanent magnet member and associated with the second guide means in a manner providing for rotary movement while restraining linear movement, and means for rotating the second permanent magnet member to cause snap action linear movement of the first permanent magnet member.

HOMER E. MALONE. 

